Electrolux
Swedish multinational manufacturer of household and professional appliances, operating the Electrolux brand alongside AEG, Frigidaire and other regional brands.
Last updated October 22, 2026
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Overview
Electrolux is a Swedish multinational appliance manufacturer headquartered in Stockholm and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. The company’s modern corporate identity dates from 1919, when Elektromekaniska was renamed Elektrolux after its business became closely associated with Lux, a producer and distributor of lighting and vacuum-cleaning equipment. Its roots extend to 1910, when engineer Sven Carlstedt established Elektromekaniska to make universal electric motors for vacuum cleaners. Salesman and entrepreneur Axel Wenner-Gren helped connect the motor business with Lux and later became the central shareholder and executive figure in the formation of Electrolux. The company initially built its reputation through vacuum cleaners and expanded into household appliances through acquisitions and product development. It acquired the Arctic refrigeration business in 1923 and subsequently entered refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cookers, food-service equipment and other major-appliance categories. The name was changed from Elektrolux to Electrolux in 1957. During the 1960s and later decades, Electrolux pursued an acquisition-led international expansion, buying or integrating companies and brands in the Nordic countries, Europe and North America. These included ElektroHelios, Elektra, Atlas, Slev and Flymo, while the group also developed or controlled brands such as AEG, Frigidaire, Eureka, Husqvarna and regional appliance labels at different times. Electrolux has operated as both a branded consumer-appliance company and a large manufacturing and technology group. Its principal consumer categories include refrigerators and freezers, cooking appliances, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, vacuum cleaners and small domestic appliances. It also has a professional-appliance heritage covering equipment for commercial kitchens, laundries and food-service operations. In 2020, the professional division was separated into the independently listed Electrolux Professional, leaving Electrolux focused primarily on consumer appliances. The group sells products under the Electrolux name and through a portfolio of owned or licensed brands adapted to local markets and price segments. AEG is positioned toward the premium end of the European market, while Frigidaire has long been important in North America. Product development has increasingly emphasized energy and water efficiency, connected appliances, food preservation, built-in kitchens, premium cooking and laundry performance. Electrolux generally positions itself as a design- and innovation-oriented appliance manufacturer rather than a simple commodity producer, although its portfolio spans mass-market, premium and professional segments. Electrolux’s history also reflects the structural pressures of global appliance manufacturing. The company has repeatedly consolidated factories, transferred production between countries, reorganized divisions and rationalized brands to improve scale and cost competitiveness. It exited and re-entered the North American market through changing ownership and brand arrangements, acquired Chilean manufacturer CTI in 2011, bought Anova Applied Electronics in 2017, and later sold selected manufacturing assets, including its refrigerator plant in Nyíregyháza, Hungary, in 2023. The company remains an international appliance group with manufacturing, research, sales and service activities across multiple regions.
History
Electrolux’s origins lie in Stockholm in 1910, when engineer Sven Carlstedt founded Elektromekaniska to manufacture universal motors for vacuum cleaners. In 1912, Axel Wenner-Gren helped establish a commercial relationship between Elektromekaniska and Lux, a company originally associated with kerosene lamps that had entered vacuum cleaners under license. Wenner-Gren later formed Svenska Elektron and marketed vacuum cleaners under the Elektron name. In 1916, Svenska Elektron acquired a majority interest in Elektromekaniska, and in 1918 it acquired a substantial interest in Lux. On 29 August 1919, Elektromekaniska was renamed Elektrolux. The name combined the identities of Elektromekaniska and Lux and became the basis of the international appliance business. Electrolux expanded beyond vacuum cleaners after acquiring Arctic in 1923, adding absorption refrigerators. The company then entered further major-appliance categories, including washing machines in 1951, dishwashers in 1959 and food-service equipment in 1962. In 1928 it made an initial public offering in London and in 1930 obtained a Stockholm listing. The company adopted the spelling Electrolux in 1957. From the 1960s, growth increasingly relied on acquisitions. Electrolux bought Nordic companies including ElektroHelios, Norwegian Elektra, Danish Atlas, Finnish Slev and Flymo. It temporarily exited the U.S. market in 1968 after selling its American subsidiary, then returned in 1974 through the acquisition of Eureka-Williams. In North America, the group used Eureka and Electrolux names in different periods, while Aerus, a former sales and manufacturing channel for Swedish Electrolux products, retained use of the Electrolux trademark for a time before transferring rights back to the group. The group also acquired and reorganized businesses in garden equipment and other durable-goods categories. Its 1978 combination with Husqvarna created substantial overlap and led to factory and product restructuring. In Norway, Electrolux operations included vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, cookers and other white goods. The Eidsvoll cooker facility became an important production site before being wound down in 2002 amid wider European manufacturing consolidation. The company’s acquisition of Norlett in 1980 likewise led to rationalization and relocation of production, producing labor and political controversy in Norway. During the 1990s, Electrolux began more systematic group-wide restructuring after decades of decentralized acquisition-led growth. Manufacturing was increasingly concentrated in plants judged more competitive, while administration and purchasing were consolidated. Keith McLoughlin became president and chief executive officer in 2011 and was the company’s first non-Swedish CEO. The CTI acquisition in the same year strengthened Electrolux’s position in Chile and other Latin American markets and added several established regional brands. In the 2010s and 2020s, Electrolux combined large-appliance scale with connected products and premium design. The 2017 acquisition of Anova Applied Electronics extended the group into digitally controlled precision cooking. In March 2020, Electrolux completed the spin-off of its professional division as Electrolux Professional. The remaining group continued to focus on consumer appliances sold under Electrolux and other regional and premium brands. In 2023, the company announced the sale of its Nyíregyháza refrigerator plant to Qvantum, another example of portfolio and manufacturing-footprint adjustment. Electrolux remains an active Swedish-listed international appliance group.
- 2023
Nyíregyháza factory sale
[1]Electrolux announced the sale of its Hungarian refrigerator plant to Qvantum.
- 2020
Electrolux Professional spun off
[1]The professional division was separated into Electrolux Professional on 23 March.
- 2017
Anova acquisition announced
[1]Electrolux agreed to acquire Anova Applied Electronics, known for the Anova Precision Cooker.
- 2011
CTI acquisition
[1]Electrolux acquired Chilean appliance manufacturer CTI and brands including Fensa, Gafa, Mademsa and Somela.
- 1978
Combination with Husqvarna
[1]Electrolux merged with Husqvarna, broadening the group and creating overlapping operations that later required restructuring.
- 1959
Dishwashers added
[1]Electrolux entered dishwasher production.
- 1957
Spelling changes to Electrolux
[1]The corporate name changed from Elektrolux to Electrolux.
- 1951
Washing machines added
[1]The company expanded into washing machines.
- 1930
Stockholm listing
[1]Electrolux obtained a listing on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
- 1928
London public offering
[1]Electrolux made an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange.
Products and positioning
Design-led, innovation-oriented household-appliance group spanning mainstream and premium consumer products, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, food preservation, cooking, laundry and connected-home features.
Major appliances · 1923
Electrolux refrigerators and freezers
Refrigeration has been one of Electrolux’s core appliance categories since the 1923 acquisition of Arctic. Current and historical products include standalone and built-in refrigerators, freezers and combined refrigerator-freezer units, with the portfolio commonly emphasizing food preservation, flexible storage, energy efficiency and integrated kitchen design.
Kitchen appliances
Electrolux cooking appliances
The cooking portfolio includes ovens, freestanding cookers, hobs, induction cooktops, built-in ovens and associated kitchen equipment. Electrolux has used both its own name and regional brands for cooking products, serving mainstream and premium built-in kitchen markets.
Laundry appliances · 1951
Electrolux laundry appliances
Electrolux washing machines and tumble dryers are designed for household laundry care, with product development focused on fabric treatment, capacity, automation, water and energy consumption, and integration with connected-home systems.
Kitchen appliances · 1959
Electrolux dishwashers
Dishwashers became part of Electrolux’s product range in 1959. The line includes built-in and freestanding models aimed at different household sizes and price points, with features generally centered on cleaning performance, quiet operation, loading flexibility and resource efficiency.
Floor-care appliances · 1919
Electrolux vacuum cleaners
Vacuum cleaners are central to Electrolux’s historical identity and were among the products that connected Elektromekaniska, Lux and Axel Wenner-Gren. The group has sold canister, upright, cordless and other floor-care formats under Electrolux and related regional brands.
Connected cooking appliances
Anova Precision Cooker
The Anova Precision Cooker is a digitally controlled sous-vide cooking device acquired through Electrolux’s 2017 purchase of Anova Applied Electronics. It extended the group’s portfolio into connected precision cooking and appliance software.
Premium household appliances
AEG appliance ranges
AEG is a major premium brand in Electrolux’s European portfolio. Its products cover cooking, refrigeration, dishwashing and laundry, generally emphasizing design, performance, built-in installation and higher-end household positioning.
Household appliances
Frigidaire appliance ranges
Frigidaire is a long-established North American appliance brand associated with refrigerators, cooking products, laundry equipment and other household appliances. It has been part of Electrolux’s regional brand architecture.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2023
Sell the Nyíregyháza refrigerator facilityStrategyBackground
The company continued to adjust its manufacturing footprint and asset portfolio.
Action taken
Electrolux announced the sale of its Nyíregyháza, Hungary, refrigerator plant to Qvantum.
Aftermath
The transaction transferred the facility to a Malmö-headquartered heat-pump systems and technology company.
2020
Separate the professional-appliance divisionStrategyBackground
Electrolux reorganized its portfolio to distinguish consumer appliances from professional equipment and create a separately focused business.
Action taken
The professional division was spun off as Electrolux Professional on 23 March 2020.
Aftermath
Electrolux continued as a primarily consumer-appliance group, while Electrolux Professional operated as a separate company.
2017
Acquire Anova Applied ElectronicsM&ABackground
Electrolux sought to extend its appliance portfolio into connected cooking and digitally controlled food preparation.
Action taken
The company announced an agreement to acquire the U.S.-based maker of the Anova Precision Cooker.
Aftermath
Anova became part of Electrolux’s connected-cooking portfolio.
Recent events
Electrolux appoints Olivia Sutherland as marketing director for Australia and New Zealand[3]
Reported:
Electrolux Group appointed Olivia Sutherland as marketing director for Australia and New Zealand, effective 10 November 2026, following the resignation of Christina Kumcevski that was first announced in July 2026. Sutherland will report directly to Electrolux VP Commercial Area – ANZ, Kurt Hegvold.
Electrolux opens Springfield warehouse[4]
Reported:
Electrolux held a grand opening for its new warehouse at its Springfield manufacturing campus, the first section of a factory expansion to open there.
Electrolux releases fourth-quarter 2020 results[5]
Reported:
Electrolux released its fourth-quarter 2020 earnings report, reporting net sales of 33.902 billion Swedish kronor and operating income of 2.498 billion kronor.
Electrolux launches PURE Q9-P vacuum cleaner in Taiwan[6]
Reported:
Electrolux launched the PURE Q9-P dual-effect vacuum cleaner in Taiwan on July 2.
Electrolux announces new refrigerators and washing machines in China[7]
Reported:
At its June 4 online appliance launch event, Electrolux announced a new high-end side-by-side refrigerator and two washing machines. The refrigerator was scheduled to go on sale on June 12; the article also says the new appliances were available for reservation from that day.
Electrolux South Africa partners with PowerOptimal to sell solar water-heating solutions[8]
PowerOptimal partnered with Electrolux's South African subsidiary to bring solar photovoltaic water-heating solutions to the local market. The partnership will see PowerOptimal's Elon technology sold alongside Electrolux's Kwikot Superline electric water heaters.
Electrolux closes Springfield plant after employees test positive for COVID-19[9]
Reported:
Electrolux closed its Springfield, Tennessee, plant to sanitize and disinfect the building after learning that two additional employees tested positive for COVID-19.
Electrolux temporarily closes Springfield factory for cleaning[10]
Reported:
Electrolux temporarily closed its Springfield factory after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The company said normal operations would resume on Sunday after professional cleaning and disinfection.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Sources15 sources
- 1Electroluxen.wikipedia.org
- 2Electrolux Group corporate websiteelectroluxgroup.com
- 3伊莱克斯任命Olivia Sutherland为澳大利亚及新西兰市场营销总监applianceretailer.com.au
- 4伊莱克斯启用斯普林菲尔德仓库prnewswire.com
- 5伊莱克斯发布2020年第四季度业绩coinspeaker.com
- 6伊莱克斯在台湾推出PURE Q9-P吸尘器n.yam.com
- 7伊莱克斯发布冰箱和洗衣机新品tech.sina.com.cn
- 8伊莱克斯南非与PowerOptimal合作销售太阳能热水解决方案engineeringnews.co.za
- 9Electrolux斯普林菲尔德工厂因员工新冠检测阳性再次关闭newschannel5.com
- 10Electrolux 暂时关闭 Springfield 工厂进行清洁newschannel5.com
- 11保鲜效果引领全行业 伊莱克斯发布健康新格局高端冰箱新品_个股资讯_市场_中金在线sc.stock.cnfol.com
- 12伊莱克斯发布健康新格局冰箱 定位高端售价6999tech.sina.com.cn
- 13伊莱克斯发布健康新格局冰箱 定位高端售价6999itbear.com.cn
- 14伊莱克斯发布健康新格局冰箱 主打“系统养鲜”技术finance.people.com.cn
- 15Electrolux opens new warehouse in Springfieldnewschannel5.com
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